Eight years ago, after taking his daughter to a Patriot's game, Ed got a phone call and heard the ominous phrase, “Mr. Johnson, you have breast cancer.”

Weeks before, Ed was showering and felt a lump in his chest. It didn't go away for several weeks. So, diligent about keeping physically fit and healthy, Ed took his wife's already lined up breast exam appointment.

“It was a shock, so I got a second opinion. But, it confirmed the original diagnosis,” said Ed who insisted on finding a surgeon who had experience with male breast cancer to perform his mastectomy.

In addition to the mastectomy and drains put into his under-arm glands, Ed underwent 30 radiation treatments and a hormone treatment for the next five to six years.

“The surgeon told me, 'You'll die one day, Ed. But, it won't be of breast cancer,'” Ed joked, “I figure I'll be hit by a Mack truck or something, so that made me feel pretty good (about the treatments).”

“I have no complaints of anything that has ever happened to me, or what is going on right now. If this is in the cards, so be it,” says Ed Johnson with peace in his voice.

In a family full of women — wife, three daughters and three granddaughters — Ed often worries about their health.

“I encourage them to see their doctors for their own safety and well-being. I worry about it every day. You never know,” he says.

However, the many women he meets in the breast cancer community encourage him day after day.

“I feel so humbled in front of such bravery. I see the women who face breast cancer for their family, they will survive as long as they can,” he says.

Ed participates in Seacoast area events to fundraise for breast cancer organizations often, like being “Mr. November” in a breast cancer calendar, and modeling in a breast cancer fashion show.

The fashion show enlightened Ed, realizing the strength behind women who fight this disease. Though his life-long athletic activities gave him great physical strength, the women's emotional strength was just as impressive, he says.

“When they went on that stage they were in a different world, they left their worries behind. They were so beautiful,” explains Ed noting many women feel they lose themselves during breast cancer battles, “They haven't lost one bit of femininity. If anything they are more appealing because they are brave and courageous.

“My message is, men, take care of yourself. You have obligations to your family, to your community, and to yourself. Don't do things that will damage your health,” says Ed, a personal health advocate.

Proudly, Ed Johnson explains about his desire to be fully competent and honorable in every step on his meandering trail through life, “I was told once, and I'm quite proud of it, 'You're not liked, Ed. But, you're respected.' — Life is not a popularity campaign. Life is building up respect, trust and confidence.”

Early in life, Ed was a Boy and Eagle Scout, and captain of his high school football team – only to begin his mile-long list of community activities.

“I never lifted weights in high school, we didn't have all of that. But, I worked lifting hides in the tannery. I was a tennis court attendant and instructor during the day and spent my nights at the tannery,” explained Ed.

His father was a first-generation American of Polish decent, and his mother, born in Sweden, has no record of breast cancer in her family.

Because of Ed's agility and athleticism in football, and his incredible work ethic, he was the first in his family to go to college and graduate from Tuft's University – where he played football and wrestled in the 192-pound weight class. He later joined the executive board for Tuft's ROTC advocates.

Ed was awarded a silver star from the Marine Corps as a combat Korean War veteran. He says his “men” each signed affidavits attesting to his courageous activity, which went unwitnessed by any officer.

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Courtesy photo
Ed Johnson, a breast cancer survivor and former Marine, is congratulated in the Oval Office by President George W. Bush for founding the Pease Greeters.

In his adult life, Ed continues to chase challenges — taking on such hobbies as pistol shooting, martial arts and becoming a N.H. hunting safety instructor. His town even recruited him to teach gun safety and martial arts to their police department.

“In various ways I try to give back to the community,” says Ed.

Pursuing his personal obligation to lead, Ed founded the renowned Pease Greeters and has been a chairman, secretary and treasurer of the organization. The Greeters show support to troops and their families as they pass through Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth on their way to and from war.

Having a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., Ed met the president in the oval office, supplied troops with N.H.-based Lindt chocolates, and visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

While at the medical center, meeting men and women missing arms and legs from combat, Ed says, “They have much more courage than I ever displayed. I was humbled in their presence.”

One troop at the hospital even remembered coming through Pease in the middle of the night and meeting Ed's Pease Greeters.

The troop said, “It was important for me to get the send off we did, but much more important for our men and women to see the support of the community as we left.”

Ed said he and his companions on the D.C. trip couldn't even look at each other during this moment, knowing their organization makes a lasting difference in troops' lives.

“My throat was swollen with emotion, even as I think of it now,” Ed says while overcome by the intense memory.

Ed relates the men at Walter Reed to the women suffering breast cancer. He explains, “The experience never quite leaves you, it affects you physically and mentally and forces you to be brave and use drive to overcome difficulties.”

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Mitchell/Democrat photo
A former Marine and breast cancer survivor, Ed Johnson tells stories of his service in the military while at his Rye home.

Not so 'macho'

“I've never met another man with breast cancer, I don't know why I got it” says Ed, “But, this is just another event in my life. But, for women … to lose part of their body (after a mastectomy), that can be mind shattering. They may have lost their breasts, but they haven't lost their dynamic personality, charm and vigor that God blessed them with.”

When he turned 65 years old, he did 650 push ups — just because he could, he said.

Having spent years of his life exercising, Ed now admits to feeling sick quite often -— every other week to be specific.

In July of 2010, he had severe pain in his right lung. After an x-ray, his doctor determined he had a fractured rib, but also a tumor stemming from breast cancer popping up again. Ed explains the tumor metastasized into his lung and bones. At this point, he continued hormone treatment, which has proved ineffective, he says, and more recent x-rays show a new tumor on his left lung. Now, Ed is undergoing chemotherapy, again.

This time, his chemotherapy treatment is conducted through pills taken at home — every other week, two in the morning and two in the evening.

“It attacks live cells, and it plays havoc with your immune system. It causes aches and pains and nausea and vomiting and fatigue,” explains Ed, noting how lately, it takes longer to recover between the “bad week” and the “good week.”

“I look at it as a speed bump and I will get over it and get past it,” Ed says optimistically.

Through years of physically tasking activities, Ed shares advice with others to keep top-notch health.

He reminds both men and women to pay attention to any lump or bump, or sore that doesn't heal. He urges men to set examples for their families and friends, putting their health first.

“It's not about being macho. Don't be so conceited to think you're tougher than the rest of the world. You're only as tough as your body allows,” Ed says of men who stay away from the doctor's office, “Most of your toughness is in your mind. If you're intelligent, you will seek good, solid medical advice.”

Ed says people should be 100 percent honest with their doctors because that is the only partnership that can keep you alive.

“Up until now, I have operated at my own pace, in my own direction. I didn't let anything impact my normal activities,” says Ed of moving forward, “My spirits remain high and I am quite optimistic this will get behind me — I await my date with a Mack truck.”